Seafood smugglers can expect a paua cut

A new breed of detector dog is being trained to help combat the illegal export of paua from New Zealand.

Minister of Fisheries Jim Anderton yesterday described paua smuggling as big business, and said he was concerned about the threat it posed to New Zealand's economic well-being.

Mr Anderton watched two trainee detector dogs, Luke and Taz, demonstrating their skills at Auckland International Airport yesterday.

"Paua means so much to New Zealanders, and is part of our cultural identity. We are taking steps to stop those involved and shut down their routes for exporting what they have stolen," he said.

The detector dogs have nearly completed their training by Quarantine Services staff and will operate around the country at points where there is a likelihood of poached paua leaving New Zealand.

"The value and reputation of our seafood export market needs to be protected as much as the sustainability of this species," Mr Anderton said.

High volumes of low-quality illegal exports reduced the reputation of New Zealand products. As well as depleting the stock, paua poaching could have a "devastating" impact on the legitimate seafood industry.

The two-year pilot programme using detector dogs is part of a joint initiative between the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

- NZPA